Innovative Technology and Practices Transforming India’s Poultry Farming

Innovative Technology and Practices Transforming India’s Poultry Farming

Rupam sachan^⃰, Jitendra Tiwari, Renu Singh, Pradeep Kumar, Amit Kumar Jaiswal, Kale Chandrakant Dinkar

Department of Veterinary Parasitology, DUVASU Mathura

Abstract-

India’s poultry industry has witnessed remarkable transformation and growth over the years, with advancements in technology and practices playing a pivotal role. This article explores the evolution of the poultry sector, from its humble beginnings to becoming a critical part of the livestock industry. It delves into the various technological innovations and practices that have propelled the sector forward, such as automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. The COVID-19 pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities for the poultry industry, leading to the adoption of new technologies to address workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions. The article highlights emerging trends and cutting-edge solutions in poultry farming, including genetic advancements, remote sensing, machine vision, and microbiome research. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making through artificial intelligence and the use of digital tools for optimizing feed composition and gut health. With a focus on food safety and transparency, blockchain technology is explored to trace the supply chain and enhance consumer confidence. In conclusion, the article underscores the significant strides made in India’s poultry sector, driven by innovation and the adoption of modern technology. As the industry continues to evolve, it is poised for sustained growth and a brighter future.

Introduction

One of the most significant subsectors of the livestock business is the poultry sector. This industry includes a wide range of production facilities, like as breeding farms, hatcheries, feed mills, broiler and layer farms, and processing units. In terms of species, the sector has sub-units for chicken, quail, duck, turkey, guinea fowl, and goose. Infrastructure includes various housing types, ranging from thatched sheds to automated, climate-controlled sheds, regular channel watering systems to automatic cups and nipples, automatic egg collection, refrigeration systems, nutraceutical and medicine manufacturing facilities, vaccine manufacturing facilities, manufacturing mechanical components, and manufacturing electronic devices needed for various tasks. feather production and rendering plants.

As a result, it requires knowledge of all derived sciences, including physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and other engineering disciplines. This industry has experienced tremendous growth and advancement, and the production subclasses are separated into meat and egg production. Over the course of six decades (1960 to 2020), all these steadily expanded from backyard to industrial proportions thanks to veterinarians, poultry scientists, technical and non-technical people, and committed farmers.

Despite all the progress, our nation’s poultry industry is divided into organized and unorganized sectors. A supportive environment is necessary for organized sub-sector growth, which calls for policy support and intervention primarily for disease surveillance, drug residue and drug/vaccine quality control, standardization and poultry feed, egg and meat quality control, and the use of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and Good Manufacturing Practises (GMP) for gradation, value addition, brand development, export boosting, and compliance with WTO and CODEX requirements.

According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2030, poultry meat will account for 41% of all the protein from meat sources globally by the end of this decade.

The increasing changes in eating habits and lifestyles in general bode well for the Indian poultry business. It makes sense that as farms get more organized and technically advanced, their percentage will increase.

Egg production has been increasing significantly, going from 95 billion in 2017–18 to 105 billion the next year, and then to 114 billion in 2019–20, according to government figures.

The production of poultry meat has also increased. It increased from 3.7 mmt in 2017–18 to 4.1 mmt in 2018–19, and then to 4.3 mmt in 2019–20.

Despite being optimistic, some estimates indicate that by 2023, the nation might produce 136 billion eggs and 6.2 ml t of poultry meat.

The value of the worldwide poultry market, which has expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% since 2015, was close to $319.2 billion in 2019. By 2023, it is predicted to increase at a CAGR of 6.1% to reach close to $405 billion. By 2025, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% to over $465.7 billion, and by 2030, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% to $645.7 billion.

Modifications to farming practise-

The development of technology in the management, nutrition, and healthcare systems is what has allowed poultry to advance in all its fields. Over time, farmers’ descendants are today highly educated professionals in fields like technical and engineering, medicine, and veterinary medicine. Therefore, well-educated and knowledgeable organizations currently control the poultry sector. They always have original ideas and use any technology that is widely accessible for economic gain. In addition to being inventors, these people are also open-minded enough to accept and employ any innovations that are beneficial to contemporary poultry farming. Smart farms, Automated farms, Mechanised farms, and Digital farms are the names given to the new farming techniques.

Modern Poultry Farming Trend

          The World Health Organisation officially proclaimed a pandemic brought on by a novel coronavirus two years ago (on March 11, 2020). Additionally, mankind had little time to adjust to lockdowns and enormous casualties as COVID-19 swept across the globe.

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on several economic sectors, notably animal farming. It has also raised worries about a looming recession and economic calamity. Numerous farms were forced to permanently close because of disrupted production and transportation, falling consumer demand, and uncertain markets. There is a smaller workforce in all economic sectors because of social exclusion, self-isolation, and travel limitations, which have resulted in many job losses. because of the closure of schools, the demand for commodities, as well as manufactured goods, has fallen. In contrast, there is a far greater need for medical supplies. The food industry has also experienced higher demand because of panic purchases and food product stockpiling. Beyond that, the issues with workforce management were what prompted the adoption of new, creative practices in chicken farming. In short, COVID-19 presented the poultry sector with various issues in 2020, from personnel shortages to supply chain disruptions. The industry can look forward to future chances for growth and success with the aid of new technology by resolving these problems. The adoption of various such developments and cutting-edge goods for productive poultry farming is the topic of this essay. The following are some recent trends that have emerged in poultry farming.

• Is it possible to prevent male chicks genetically?
• Using 3D cameras, precise grill weights may be recorded.
• Determine which eggs are viable with the aid of MRI technology.
• Could smartwatches address the labor issue in chicken processing?
• Continuous feedback loops may enhance flock performance.
• Robots that work together could increase poultry automation.
• Utilising kinematics, in-line poultry cooling could be enhanced.
• Using peptides to prevent antibiotic resistance in poultry
• The examination of poultry data will be made easier by digital technologies.
• Defects in poultry flesh could be found using hyperspectral imaging.
• Distribution on the grill floor can be found by machine vision.
• Will CRISPR revolutionize the poultry sector?
• Robots are equipped to handle the complexities of processing chickens.
• Future-ready poultry is made possible through automation.
• Digitalization can improve planning for poultry productivity.
• Healthy chicks quickly develop the adult poultry microbiota

The following technologies potentially interfere with present and future production and processing processes:

1. Remote sensing-

Real-time monitoring of a variety of variables, including the state of the poultry house, the performance of the birds, and their welfare and health, is made possible through remote sensing. The readings from these sensors can be set to provide “alerts” to management if any parameter deviates from the agreed requirements for the specific age of birds 24/7, which is important because it allows the farmer to monitor the status of sheds and birds whenever they choose to look at the computer.

• With the use of sensors, data collection for both workers and birds may be streamlined, enabling more precise poultry production.
• Utilizing a smart phone app allows the owner to keep track of environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, ammonia gas, and water level in real time.
• This system explains a combined WSN (wireless sensor network) and GPRS network solution for smart poultry monitoring.
• For instance, sensors can be employed in poultry to detect flock homogeneity and estimate body weights.
• When used as a wearable sensor for employees, they can also assist in the resolution of labor disputes and increase worker retention and food safety. A significant value chain in the poultry industry involves automation, digitization, and big data. On poultry farms, automation can take the place of manual labor for routine jobs like monitoring bird welfare, removing welfare, immunizing birds, and managing litter.
• Robots that can separate meat from bones exist in processing facilities, which may help spread out workers who are susceptible to COVID-19.

The automatic control and automatic monitoring of environmental factors in a chicken farm using wireless sensors and the GPRS network. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, ammonia gas regulation, etc. By getting an SMS on their registered mobile number, the responsible party will be able to learn about the poultry farm’s internal environmental conditions.

2. Automation and Robotics

Due to its potential to cut labor costs, provide round-the-clock coverage, and enable remote reporting, robotics, and automation have attracted a lot of attention. Robotic technology can encourage layer hens and grill breeders to wander throughout the home, which lowers the likelihood of floor eggs and increases fertility while also enhancing the health and welfare of birds. minimizing the amount of labor necessary. A farmer can save up to 50% of their time working with the robot, which can also cut down on travel by two-thirds and enhance working conditions.

A healthier, more productive producing environment might arise from robotic equipment that leverages artificial intelligence to assist farmers in making data-driven decisions regarding grill production. Utilise robotics to motivate the birds to become more physically active and build up their muscle mass, which will ultimately lead to higher gains in the feed conversion ratio. In addition to increasing production and profitability, robots can also help people live healthier and happier lives. Some robots will continuously scratch the litter to get rid of caking and moist patches, which lowers the risk of foot burn, breast burn, and pododermatitis. Ammonia levels, temperature, and humidity levels can all be tracked and mapped by others. Producers may alter ventilation and take care of any local problems that might impact bird welfare or productivity using this useful information. These adjustments can stop a little problem from spreading throughout the flock.

1. a) One of the hottest new developments in automation is collaborative robotic technology.

Cobots, commonly referred to as collaborative robots, are made to work safely alongside human workers. The robot often handles any monotonous chores, allowing the human employee to handle more complicated, thought-intensive jobs. The robot can detect and pick up floor eggs, and measure environmental temperatures, gases, and light as it moves around the flooring of chicken houses using image sensors and machine learning.

Cobots offer several advantages, such as:

• Simpler applications with a lower cost
• ROI calculation for low-speed applications has been improved
• Ability to use robots in applications with limited space
• More rapid programming
• More rapid deployment

b). Chicken Boy, an autonomous ceiling-hung robot with sensors and artificial intelligence, evaluates environmental factors, human health and wellbeing, and equipment malfunctions. Developers at Farm Robotics and Automation intend to keep adding features, such as the disposal of dead birds and the study of litter moisture, even if their product is now available in Europe.

3. Use machine vision to track the distribution of poultry on the floor

Bird density and dispersion patterns in commercial bedding floor poultry houses are important considerations when assessing production management and the health and welfare of the animals. The daily routine assessment of the distribution of grill flocks in commercial grow-out houses is now carried out manually, which is time-consuming and labour-intensive. This will also show how a technology based on machine vision can monitor the distribution of hens on the floor in areas designated for drinking, eating, and resting or activity. To identify broiler chicken floor distribution patterns, behaviors, and welfare indicators in commercial production facilities, a real-time evaluation tool will be created using the findings of this study.

AI has plenty of uses in the egg industry as well. For many applications that call for the best egg white foaming, the quality of the egg white—for instance, the lack of any trace of yolk—is crucial. A problem cannot be seen by the naked eye because modern breakers run at speeds of up to 200,000 eggs every hour or about 60 eggs per second.

Artificial vision is used in poultry processing to provide real-time yield monitoring of high-value chicken parts, enabling managers to provide instant feedback to staff who may fix any possible deficiencies. Artificial vision is a standardized method that may be used to compare outcomes amongst employees, shifts, and processing facilities. This is especially useful for large businesses with different locations. Intelligent automation and artificial vision can also be used together to maximize efficiency.

4. Food safety.

Food safety is a top priority for the poultry industry and its developments. Both the live production and processing stages of this need to be handled. The development of the technologies finally aids in the production of wholesome food for human consumption.

5. Gearboxes with Technicon Composite Housing

Reduce rust, distribute heat, and endure wash-down procedures with steel endoskeletons. Housings are antibacterial and combined with corrosion-resistant materials that do not smell or stain under challenging conditions. The composite gearboxes are likely to be priced similarly to products with painted cast-iron housings when they are introduced to the market, which might be two years from now.

6. Next-Generation Sequencing from Clear Labs

           Detection and serotype identification of Salmonella spp. in samples acquired from carcass rinses, ground poultry, chicken pieces, boot swabs, and equipment swabs using cutting-edge data analytics and bioinformatics techniques. The system’s accuracy decreases retail short-supply fines, confirmation fees and delays, inventory holding times, and delayed shipments.

7. Artificial intelligence and big data

Utilizing the increasingly complex and large volumes of data that the poultry industry has access to is not only a difficult problem but also a significant opportunity. When used in broiler and egg production, artificial intelligence may not only increase productivity but also assist farmers in overcoming certain difficulties. To monitor birds, scientists are now teaching machines to identify any sound that might indicate suffering or discomfort.

• AI’s potential for use in early disease detection is yet another area-

AI can help producers immediately stop the spread of diseases inside a flock by assisting in their incubation period detection.

• AI can also aid in the diagnosis of diseases-

We may be able to diagnose illnesses more quickly and accurately if AI is used to supplement or enhance the human brain.

Optimization of feed formulation, genetic selection, and hatchery management are other applications for AI.

• Applications that use AI will be beneficial to many facets of the poultry industry-

Integrators can discover solutions using data that might otherwise be challenging to perceive by using cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools.

By aiding research and decision-making, new artificial intelligence technology can assist integrators in making savings and obtaining improved flock performance.

8. Tiny Bird Feed Cast Device

This calculates the amount of feed in on-farm bins using sensors, software, and a small gadget that vibrates the surface of the bin. To growers, feed mills, and integrators, the solar-powered machines wirelessly report feed levels via online portals and a mobile app. The website gateway shows historical feed levels for a residence as well as projections. Less feed is recovered at the conclusion of a flock, and feed outages are decreased or eliminated.

9. The PYSSM, or Poultry System Simulation Model

Simulates how a poultry processing plant would use water, energy, waste, and labor. The model replicates all water-intensive processes using VENSIM software, which may be downloaded at http://vensim.com/vensim-software/. There are modules for labor, water, energy, and wastewater processes in this decision-making tool with predictive capabilities created by developers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

10. Travel Genie

Live poultry is transported in a microclimate that is recorded, along with real-time contact with the driver and important stakeholders. An automatic alarm is sent if a threshold is reached. Processors can employ the sensor to enhance the welfare of birds during loadout, transport, and in-plant holding sheds. Creates an optical signal in embryos that may be detected during the breeding/hatching operation by inserting a biomarker into the DNA of male chicks at the parent stock level. Upon inspection, eggs are diverted to food production if they contain male embryos. In late 2018, a pilot study with a flock of laying hens is anticipated. Developers are reportedly in talks to include the technology in the stock of a significant breeding business.

11. Easy to Use Data Management for Veterinary Regulatory Compliance

To ensure transparency and traceability and to analyze the efficacy of therapies, this applies Blockchain technology to veterinary records. A collection of integration tools combines data from various sources, including traditional databases and systems, public and private blockchains, RFID tags, and remote sensing technology.

12. Block Chain (Value Chain Management) Technology

Uses deep learning research and predictive analytics to visualize and project future performance across the supply chain. A finished product may be tracked back through the value chain in detail thanks to an integrated view of operational data. The cloud-based application employs deep-learning neural networks and blockchain technologies to track large-scale and regional poultry operations. The possibility for blockchain in the chicken sector is its capacity to address food safety and transparency challenges. With the help of IBM, Walmart, Unilever, Nestlé, and other food juggernauts are securing digital records and keeping an eye on supply chain management to ensure the traceability of the chicken items offered in stores. The entire food supply chain, from farmers and producers to processors and distributors, may be monitored using blockchain technology. Walmart is currently experimenting with blockchain for the third time, and the growing interest of other major food monopolies illustrates the special capabilities of this technology.

13. Life sciences and the microbiome

The management of flocks is improved to grow healthier birds thanks to developments in genetics, microbiology, poultry health management, nutrition, and other fields. The microbiome has been linked in human medicine to a wide range of conditions, including mental illnesses and obesity as well as intestinal health. As a result of these discoveries, researchers are currently producing probiotics for chickens to better manage bacterial and protozoal infections as well as boost immunity.

a). Edible vaccines

It makes it possible for chicken farmers to provide a room-temperature stable vaccine in the feed to protect chickens against coccidiosis on two levels: mucosal (in the gut) and systemic (intracellular). To make the vaccinations, the technological platform introduces genes for antigens into maize plants.

b). Coccidiosis Phytogenic Blends-

Control physically damages the parasite cuticle and chemically blocks parasite-specific receptors. The terpenes used in the mixes are found naturally in food plants and are GRAS-listed, meaning they are safe to use as food flavorings. The formulation will work in the chicken’s intestine by using a unique encapsulation method.

c). All-purpose probiotics–

Probiotics that can detect pathogens and secrete antibiotics to combat them, secrete several antibiotics to lower the emergence of resistance, and/or secrete designed antimicrobial lysins are known as antimicrobial probiotics and are used in the feed or water of chickens. There are now prototypes for fighting Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridia. Within three years, the company anticipates completing all regulatory processes and launching the items.

d.) Nutritional technology:

When it comes to managing feed and determining the health of the gut microbiome, poultry producers may make better decisions with the use of digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI). With the aim of enhancing flock performance and health, AI-powered technology can offer recommendations on how to optimize feed composition and farm management practices.

• The following innovations will now primarily affect the nutritional research focus:

Software for creating feeds and feeding regimens

• Feed additives and new feed ingredients

Digestive conditioners for food safety, bird welfare, and gut health

Modern feed processing and feeding package technologies

• Epigenetic programming and perinatal nutrition

The gut microbiome of poultry may be better understood because of developments in AI.

Researchers have focused on the microbiome in recent years since they have connected the microbiome to several diseases impacting flock health and ailments affecting poultry.

Changes in raw materials, food, additives, immunization programs, and farm management practices can have an impact on the health of the gut microbiome, a collection of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal system.

• Techniques for intrauterine feeding-

Based on information from a non-invasive cloacal swab sampling of live birds, statistical analysis, machine learning, and AI can collaborate to produce insights and suggestions on the state of a flock’s microbiome. This data can be used by farmers to decide what steps to take to enhance flock performance.

Conclusion:

The evolution of chicken farming from its inception stage and metamorphosis into an industrial proposal over a period of six decades (1960–2020) can be used to visualize the industry’s progress. We are grateful to the hardworking farmers, technologists, and scientists in the private poultry industry who stood at every stage of its development, overcoming numerous obstacles and occasionally finding solutions. The use of science in all areas of life is quickly approaching, and many knowledgeable poultry producers are particularly interested in how it will affect poultry production. The automation has helped to greatly increase operational capacity. One straightforward example is the transition from the deep litter to the cage system, the introduction of contemporary environmentally controlled units, and the automated feeding and watering systems.

Currently, the use of computer-based technology in the production of eggs, meat, and feed has produced a large amount of data on all operations. On poultry farms, automation can take the place of manual labor for routine jobs like managing litter, administering vaccinations, and monitoring the welfare of the birds. The newest technology will, however, alter farming practices in the future if they are employed effectively while considering the financial costs of implementing newer technologies.

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Innovative Technology & Practices Transforming India’s Poultry Farming Sector